KOCH Records to Release New Album by Jazz Great Philippe Saisse

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KOCH Records is set to release a new album by songwriter, arranger, producer and keyboardist extraordinaire Philippe Saisse. His new album, "At World's Edge, " will be released on March 24, 2009. "At World's Edge" sets to music a personal odyssey that started when Saisse began recording the project in his basement studio in Scarsdale, NY. A flood that resulted in the near-total destruction of his workplace and his creative psyche eventually led to a transcontinental upheaval, as Philippe moved his family to Los Angeles. He says, "My life-altering relocation was the inspiration for this album. I dreamed of reuniting with the musicians that had made my past efforts such an incredible musical experience." Upon taking up residence on the West Coast, Saisse set out to do just that.

Saisse recorded the album with a basic line-up of Simon Phillips (The Who, Mick Jagger, Toto, Jeff Beck) on Drums, Pino Palladino (John Mayer, The Who, Di Angelo, Erykah Badu, Eric Clapton) on Bass, and KOCH recording artist Jeff Golub (Rod Stewart) on Guitar. Utilizing the Internet, he tapped into musicians from London, New York, and even Japan, who all recorded their parts live, and sent them to his Los Angeles-based studio, where he produced and orchestrated the project into a seamless whole. These contributors included Angélique Kidjo, Rick Braun, Jeff Beal, Kirk Whalum, Michael Davis and David Rice. The entire record was mixed with Co-producer and Engineer Goh Hotoda in Tokyo, Japan; and the result is a stunning kaleidoscope of musical adventure.

"At World's Edge" is the follow up to Saisse's "The Body And Soul Sessions" (April 2006), which included the hit single "Do It Again." The track stayed #1 on the Billboard and Radio & Records smooth jazz charts for six consecutive weeks, and finished #6 on Billboard's Top 100 Most Played Contemporary Jazz Radio Year End Chart for that year.

While delivering a substantial number of follow-up radio hits that blend a smooth, lyrical vibe with rock solid jazz-funk, "At World's Edge" goes much deeper, weaving together a rich, melodic tapestry of progressive, impressionistic, and global threads. Though it doesn't offer a specific narrative concept, it's a collection that feels like a complete work, where each track contributes to a total musical journey.

Philippe Saisse has recorded, written and/or produced with such notables as The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, David Bowie, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Kirk Whalum, Richard Elliott, Rick Braun, Warren Hill, Dave Koz, Paul Brown, Marc Antoine and, many others.

Chuck Mitchell, VP of Jazz/Adult Music at KOCH Records, says: "For many years, Philippe Saisse has been a hidden force in some of our industry's highest quality pop and contemporary instrumental music. His taste and imagination are fully front and center in this new work, which really extends the reach of contemporary jazz expression in fresh and original ways."

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